Cleaning pad

ABSTRACT

A cleaning pad including at least one surface formed with a plurality of spaced, protruding cleaning elements.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0001] The present invention relates generally to cleaning pads used for scouring and cleaning kitchen utensils and dishes and the like.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] Abrasive pads for scouring pots and pans are well known. Such pads may be of low density, typically comprising nonwoven lofty open mats formed from randomly disposed fibers which are bonded at points where they intersect and contact each other with a binder which contains abrasive. These pads are especially suited for pot and pan scouring because of their non-clogging and non-filling nature, when used in conjunction with soapy water. After use, they can be readily cleaned upon simple flushing with water, dried and left for substantial periods of time, and then re-used.

[0003] Less abrasive or non-abrasive pads are known for cleaning non-stick plastic coatings on cookware and for cleaning plastic eating utensils. Pads are also known that have one abrasive face and one polishing face.

[0004] However, such pads are not readily suited for cleaning between the tines of forks or other utensils with similar structure.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0005] The present invention seeks to provide an improved cleaning pad, which may be used to clean between the tines of forks or other utensils with similar structure, and which may be used for cleaning other items as well.

[0006] There is thus provided in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention apparatus including a cleaning pad including at least one surface formed with a plurality of spaced, protruding cleaning elements. The at least one surface may include an edge of the cleaning pad.

[0007] In accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention the cleaning pad and cleaning elements may be formed from a common material.

[0008] Further in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention at least one of the cleaning pad and cleaning elements may be formed from an abrasive or non-abrasive material.

[0009] Still further in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention at least one of the cleaning pad and cleaning elements may be formed from a plurality of materials having different mechanical properties.

[0010] In accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention the cleaning elements may be spaced and adapted for placing between tines of a fork.

[0011] There is also provided in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention a method including forming a cleaning pad with at least one surface formed with a plurality of spaced, protruding cleaning elements. The method may also include cleaning a fork with the cleaning pad by placing the cleaning elements between tines of the fork and using the cleaning elements to clean between the tines.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0012] The present invention will be understood and appreciated more fully from the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the drawing in which:

[0013]FIG. 1 is a simplified pictorial illustration of a cleaning pad, constructed and operative in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

[0014] Reference is now made to FIG. 1, which illustrates a cleaning pad 10, constructed and operative in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

[0015] The cleaning pad 10 may comprise one or more surfaces 12 formed with a plurality of spaced, protruding cleaning elements 14. In the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 1, cleaning elements 14 may be formed along one edge of cleaning pad 10. Alternatively or additionally, cleaning elements 14 may be formed along more than one edge of cleaning pad 10. Alternatively or additionally, cleaning elements 14 may be formed along other surfaces of cleaning pad 10, such as but not limited to, an upper or lower surface 16 of cleaning pad 10.

[0016] The cleaning pad 10 and cleaning elements 14 may be formed from a common material. Alternatively, cleaning pad 10 and cleaning elements 14 may be formed from different materials.

[0017] For example, cleaning pad 10 and/or cleaning elements 14 may be formed from an abrasive material, such as is suitable for scouring kitchen utensils. Alternatively, cleaning pad 10 and/or cleaning elements 14 may be formed from a non-abrasive material, such as is suitable for cleaning plastic eating utensils. As a further alternative, cleaning pad 10 and/or cleaning elements 14 may be formed from a plurality of materials having different abrasiveness or flexibility or other mechanical properties. Cleaning pad 10 may be manufactured in strips or rolls or any other configuration, such as but not limited to, pads of the type SCOTCH-BRITE manufactured by 3M Company, Minnesota, U.S.A.

[0018] The cleaning elements 14 may be spaced and adapted for placing between tines of a fork or other utensils with similar structure (not shown), and may be used for cleaning other items as well. The cleaning elements 14 may be of any shape, such as but not limited to, square, rounded, triangular, gear-tooth-shaped and other shapes.

[0019] It will be appreciated by person skilled in the art that the present invention is not limited by what has been particularly shown and described herein above. Rather the scope of the present invention is defined only by the claims that follow: 

What is claimed is:
 1. Apparatus comprising: a cleaning pad comprising at least one surface formed with a plurality of spaced, protruding cleaning elements.
 2. Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said at least one surface comprises an edge of said cleaning pad.
 3. Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said cleaning pad and cleaning elements are formed from a common material.
 4. Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein at least one of said cleaning pad and cleaning elements is formed from an abrasive material.
 5. Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein at least one of said cleaning pad and cleaning elements is formed from a non-abrasive material.
 6. Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein at least one of said cleaning pad and cleaning elements is formed from a plurality of materials having different mechanical properties.
 7. Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said cleaning elements are spaced and adapted for placing between tines of a fork.
 8. A method comprising: forming a cleaning pad with at least one surface formed with a plurality of spaced, protruding cleaning elements.
 9. The method according to claim 8 and further comprising cleaning a fork with said cleaning pad by placing said cleaning elements between tines of said fork and using said cleaning elements to clean between the tines. 